The fantasy football playoffs are here, which means these rankings are only applicable to a select few people. If you’re reading this, congratulations on your playoff berth! There’s still a long way to go, but for most, it’s win or go home. With that said, we’re going to be looking at the top 36 running backs and wide receivers to help with your start/sit decisions.
As always, these rankings are constructed through statistical analysis, matchup data, sportsbook data, and film. Let’s dive right in!
Rankings are made under the following injury assumptions. These are just predictions based on the most recent news at 12/11. Rankings will change as new updates come out.
OUT: Bucky Irving, Kenneth Walker
Week 15 WR Rankings
Tier 1
1. Ja'Marr Chase @ TEN
Tier 2
2. Nico Collins vs MIA
3. Justin Jefferson vs CHI
4. Amon-Ra St. Brown vs BUF
5. Puka Nacua @ SF
Tier 3
6. Tyreek Hill @ HOU
7. Terry McLaurin @ NO
8. A.J. Brown vs PIT
9. Mike Evans @ LAC
10. Tee Higgins @ TEN
11. CeeDee Lamb @ CAR
12. Cooper Kupp @ SF
Tier 4
13. Drake London @ LV
14. Jaxon Smith-Njigba vs GB
15. Courtland Sutton vs IND
16. Jauan Jennings vs LAR
Tier 5
17. Ladd McConkey vs TB
18. Garrett Wilson @ JAC
19. Davante Adams @ JAC
20. Malik Nabers vs BAL
21. Brian Thomas Jr. vs NYJ
22. Jerry Jeudy vs KC
Tier 6
23. DJ Moore @ MIN
24. Jakobi Meyers vs ATL
25. Marvin Harrison Jr. vs NE
26. DK Metcalf vs GB
27. Adam Thielen vs DAL
28. Darnell Mooney @ LV
Tier 7
29. Keenan Allen @ MIN
30. Khalil Shakir @ DET
31. Jordan Addison vs CHI
32. Zay Flowers @ NYG
33. DeVonta Smith vs PIT
34. Calvin Ridley vs CIN
35. Jayden Reed @ SEA
36. Jameson Williams vs BUF
Must Start: WR
Terry McLaurin @ NO
ESPN Projection - WR26
For the FTR start of the week, the players that will be eligible for this list are all close to being ranked as a back-end WR2/RB2 based on ESPN’s PPR projections. While to me, it’s obvious that Terry McLaurin needs to be in your lineup, ESPN disagrees. Having McLaurin at WR26 makes no sense with his proven production and good week 15 matchup.
McLaurin is a player that’s surprised me this year, currently averaging 15.6 PPG as the WR5. After his disappointing two-point performance in week 11, McLaurin has scored more than 20 points in back-to-back weeks. Now he gets to take on the Saints, who have allowed the 7th most fantasy points to wide receivers (479) this year. Expect McLaurin to keep rolling and have another big game in the fantasy football playoffs.
Week 15 RB Rankings
Tier 1
1. Saquon Barkley vs PIT
2. Derrick Henry @ NYG
3. Bijan Robinson @ LV
Tier 2
4. Joe Mixon vs MIA
5. Josh Jacobs @ SEA
6. De'Von Achane @ HOU
7. Jahmyr Gibbs vs BUF
8. Chase Brown @ TEN
9. Kyren Williams @ SF
Tier 3
10. Alvin Kamara vs WAS
11. Zach Charbonnet vs GB
12. James Conner vs NE
13. David Montgomery vs BUF
14. Chuba Hubbard vs DAL
Tier 4
15. Jonathan Taylor @ DEN
16. James Cook @ DET
Tier 5
17. Rachaad White @ LAC
18. Brian Robinson Jr @ NO
19. Aaron Jones vs CHI
20. Rico Dowdle @ CAR
21. Isaac Guerendo vs LAR
22. Tyrone Tracy Jr vs BAL
Tier 6
23. Tony Pollard vs CIN
24. Najee Harris @ PHI
25. Rhamondre Stevenson @ ARI
26. Isiah Pacheco @ CLE
27. D'Andre Swift @ MIN
28. Braelon Allen @ JAC
Tier 7
29. Jaylen Warren @ PHI
30. Sincere McCormick vs ATL
31. Travis Etienne Jr. vs NYJ
32. Gus Edwards vs TB
33. Nick Chubb vs KC
34. Tank Bigsby vs NYJ
35. Javonte Williams vs IND
36. Isaiah Davis @ JAC
Must Start: RB
Brian Robinson Jr @ NO
ESPN Projection - RB20
Brian Robinson Jr was banged up during the middle of the season, but it looks like he’s healthy just in time for the playoffs. Robinson was disappointing in week 12, only scoring 3.4 points, but had a massive rebound in week 13. Last week, Robinson had 17.9 points off 16 carries and a 6.4 YPC night.
Robinson now gets to face the Saints defense in a game that the Commanders should easily win. With the Commanders as 7.5-point favorites, according to BETMGM, expect them to run the ball a ton in the 2nd half. It’s also important to note that the Saints have allowed the 6th most fantasy points to running backs (336.6) on the year. I would highly recommend trying to get Robinson into your RB2 spot this week.